Enhanced 32bit CISC MCUs include on-chip flash

Renesas Technology Corp. announced an enhancement of the line-up of H8SX family 32bit CISC MCUs with the addition of the H8SX/1658R, H8SX/1668R, H8SX/1558 and H8SX/1568 groups comprising a total of 12 models. This announcement brings the total number of models in the H8SX family line-up to 32, said Renesas.

The H8SX/1658R and H8SX/1668R groups are functionally enhanced versions of Renesas Technology's current H8SX/1653 and H8SX/1663 groups featuring an on-chip USB function, while the H8SX/1558 and H8SX/1568 groups are 5V interface products designed for industrial applications.

Key featuresProducts in these four groups have an H8SX high-performance 32bit CISC CPU core. H8SX/1658R and H8SX/1668R group models feature a 50MHz maximum operating frequency at 3.3V operation. Devices in the H8SX/1558 and H8SX/1568 group models feature a 40MHz maximum operating frequency at 5V operation.

Models in all groups include on-chip flash memory, with capacities of 384-, 512- and 1,024KB available in the H8SX/1658R and H8SX/1668R groups, and densities of 256-, 512- and 1,024KB available in the H8SX/1558 and H8SX/1568 groups. The provision of on-chip flash memory allows programs to be modified during development, reducing product development times.

These new models also offer a comprehensive set of on-chip peripheral functions suitable for a wide variety of application areas. Two or three 10bit ADCs units are provided that feature independent operation and high-speed conversion capability. The on-chip SCI allows the use of 8bit timer input as a basic operating clock and programmable variable setting as necessary, enabling flexible transfer rates to be implemented. Two of the SCI channels have 720Kbps high-speed transfer capability. The number of programmable pulse generator and timer pulse units has been increased to two, offering independently operable and easy-to-use functions. The comprehensive range of peripheral functions also includes an 8bit DAC, a DMA controller allowing high-speed data transfer to and from external memory and an I²C bus interface.

The H8SX/1658R and H8SX/1668R groups also feature an on-chip. Current products use the internal system bus during data transfers to or from external memory, preventing processing that uses the system bus from being performed during a data transfer thus, lowering system processing efficiency. EXDMA is a data transfer function that uses an external bus, allowing the internal system bus to be used during external memory transfers to improve processing efficiency.

A user can select the optimal model for a particular application system from the product line-up and can easily implement system upgrades such as functional enhancements.

The use of 120-pin and 144-pin packages compatible with current Renesas models allows existing hardware assets to be used and product performance and functionality to be upgraded.

On the development environment front, a USB bus powered E10A-USB, requiring no external power supply, can be used as an emulator.

Pricing for the H8SX/1658R and H8SX/1668R is between Rs.495.85 ($12.15) to Rs.661.54 ($16.21) and for the H8SX/1558 and H8SX/1568 models is between Rs.396.68 ($9.72) to Rs.628.08 ($15.39). Sample shipments will begin in September for H8SX/1658R and H8SX/1668R models and in November 2007 for H8SX/1558 and H8SX/1568 models, in Japan.